Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes irritated, inflamed, and crusty with dead skin cells. Additional symptoms include red or grayish patches, itchiness, and pitted nails. Besides these visible symptoms, you could consult a dermatologist to diagnose your psoriasis. Your dermatologist might take a biopsy and request information about your family history in order to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Steps

Method1

Checking for Symptoms

1

Look for reddish patches on the scalp. These patches vary in size and severity. They might be very noticeable and inflamed, or they might be light in color and not raised much, if at all. The patches often extend beyond the edge of the hairline and are therefore quite easy to spot no matter how inflamed they are.[1]

If you have psoriasis, it might not be limited to your scalp. Be on the lookout for similar reddish patches on other locations of your body.

2

Look for dry, flaky skin. If you have scalp psoriasis, you might experience dandruff-like flaking of the scalp. Dandruff is caused by a dry scalp and is different than psoriasis of the scalp. But in both conditions, you might notice dry, white bits of skin on your pillow after you wake, or on the shoulders of your shirt after you run your hand through your hair (especially if your shirt is black or dark in color).[2]

In order to limit the visibility (and embarrassment) caused by these dry scalp flakes on your clothes, dress in light colors.[3]

Look for a silvery sheen and scaly skin. In addition to the reddish patches, you might also observe white or grayish patches – often described as a “silvery sheen.” These patches are smaller, rougher, thicker, and scalier than their reddish counterparts. They can be sensitive, and might bleed if picked or scraped at.[4]

4

Note any itching or irritation. If your skin is rough, irritated, and scaly, you could have psoriasis. But despite the overwhelming urge to scratch and scrape your scalp, don’t do it. Itching will only worsen the pain and discomfort associated with your condition.[5]

5

Check your nails. In patients with psoriasis of any kind, the fingernails and toenails become pitted and discolored. Your nails white turn yellow or brownish in color, or become striped with white lines running parallel to the length of your fingers. The nail might become thick and rough, or separate from the nail bed.[6][7]

6

Look for hair loss. Psoriasis does not directly produce hair loss, but the thickened skin caused by psoriasis might prevent normal hair growth. If you notice your hair is thinning in conjunction with other psoriasis symptoms, you probably have psoriasis.[8][9]

Method2

Obtaining a Medical Diagnosis

1

See a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor specializing in diseases of the skin. They can confirm that you have psoriasis. If you have symptoms of psoriasis, contact a dermatologist in your area. Look up dermatologists near you using the American Academy of Dermatology’s database at https://www.aad.org/find-a-derm/.[10]

Eczema, superficial yeast infections, and vitiligo could all be confused with psoriasis.

2

Get a biopsy. In rare cases where your dermatologist cannot easily determine if you have psoriasis on your scalp, they might perform a biopsy. A biopsy is a common procedure in which your dermatologist collects a few skin cells, then examines them under a microscope to find out more about your condition.[11]

You will need to get a local anesthetic on your scalp to numb the area. Once numb, the doctor will scrape a thin layer of skin off your scalp for closer examination.

3

Provide information about your family history. About 1/3 of psoriasis patients have a family member who also had psoriasis. If you provide your doctor with information about others in your family who have psoriasis, they will be better equipped to make an accurate diagnosis.[12]

Inquire with close family members as to whether they’ve ever had psoriasis in order to obtain the necessary information.

Method3

Treating Psoriasis With Lifestyle Changes

1

Take a daily shower. Keeping your skin clean and clear can reduce the severity of your psoriasis. Do not scrub too hard while washing your scalp. Use a mild shampoo free of additives, dyes, and chemicals. Your doctor might recommend a specialized shampoo for you to use.[13]

2

Take care of your nails. If your scalp psoriasis is accompanied by discoloration or deterioration of the nails, take special care of your nail health. Trim your nails frequently. If you have a hangnail, clip it carefully. Wear gloves when appropriate to protect your hands and reduce your feelings of self-consciousness. Use disposable cleaning gloves when using cleaning products. Use moisturizer on your nails and cuticles, and don’t push or scrape at your cuticles.[14]

3

Watch what you eat. Some people find their psoriasis is managed by changing their diet. Gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) may exacerbate psoriasis. You could ask your doctor to test for gluten sensitivity, or just eliminate your intake of foodstuffs that include gluten.[15]

There is a large and growing market of gluten-free foods available. Ask your local grocer to direct you to gluten-free options at the market.

Method4

Employing Medical Interventions

1

Try topical treatments. Topical treatments – especially corticosteroids – are the most common treatment for psoriasis. Corticosteroids are drugs with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive qualities, and applied easily to the skin as a kind of gel or lotion. Your dermatologist will provide you with an appropriate topical agent, as well as guidelines for usage based on the severity of your psoriasis.[16][17]

Other topical anti-inflammatory treatments include topical tazarotene, tacrolimus, and pimecrolimus.

Other topical treatments include moisturizing shampoos and emollients (a class of moisturizing foams and creams).

Be sure that you apply the topical treatments to your scalp, not your hair. You’ll have to part your hair carefully (or have a friend help you) in order to allow the topical treatments to reach your scalp.[18]

2

Try light therapy. Some people with psoriasis find controlled exposure to ultraviolet light helps their condition. Light therapy (also called heliotherapy when it involves natural light, or phototherapy when it uses artificial light) uses the healing properties of ultraviolet light to rejuvenate damaged skin. You could spend 20 to 30 minutes in direct sunlight, or visit a clinic to use a phototherapy unit.[19]

Your dermatologist will recommend how long and how intense your light therapy should be.

Before beginning light therapy with direct exposure to the sun, coat your scalp and all uncovered areas in a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.

Hair protects the skin of the scalp from UV light that the scalp needs to heal. You or your doctor will have to part your hair or shave your head in order to allow the light to reach the scalp.[20]

3

Try laser treatment. Excimer laser treatment uses a concentrated beam of UV light to target psoriasis lesions. This laser treatment can reduce inflammation, slow growth of skin cells, and reduce the number of lesions on your scalp. Best of all, the procedure is painless and quick – most sessions take less than 30 minutes.[21]

You’ll probably need to return for these treatments two to three times weekly.

You should notice your symptoms subside after about six weeks.

Talk to your doctor about whether laser treatment is right for you.

4

Try medication. Oral or injectable mediations are frequently prescribed for psoriasis. Methotrexate, adalimumab, etanercept, soriatane, and other anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most commonly prescribed. Specific dosage recommendations will be provided by your doctor.[22]

Injectable medications are best if your psoriasis is mild and confined to a few areas.